The best way to explore Mexico is to experience their culture.
Once we have landed in Mexico, we will learn about the culture through art! In class, we will look at Mexican-American art, religion, and music.
Tony Ortega is a Mexican-American artist who researches contributions that immigrants have made on America that are often unnoticed. He portrays this theme throughout his art, using a range of different techniques and mediums in creating his art.
Teachers can find more information about Tony Ortega and his works of art at voanews.com.
Below is a video that can be shared with students as an introduction to Mexican-American artwork. In this video, Tony Ortega talks about his pieces and what inspires him to create.
Tony Ortega’s artwork can be seen on his website tonyortega.net. Ortega creates drawings, painting, prints, murals, and photography. He uses a variety of different mediums in his work, and uses them to portray a deeper cultural meaning. As a class, we will explore his acrylic paintings, and their meaning and value.
Integrated Curricular Idea: Exploring Mexican-American Art; Second Grade
After looking at some of his work, students will be required to make their own piece imitating Tony Ortega’s work. Students should be given 1-3 days to finish their projects to allow for them to dry.
Before giving students their assignment, teachers should introduce students to the following art vocabulary words:
- Style – how an artist expresses him/herself
- Techniques – ways of using art materials
- Medium – kind of art material used
Materials needed: poster board for students to paint on, acrylic paints, paint brushes, cups of water for cleaning brushes, and paper towels
Step Uno: Students will pick either a famous painting and/or a character from their favorite book/comic.
Step Dos: Students will recreate their painting/character, however change the original by painting themselves instead of the familiar figure.
Step Tres: Write a paragraph describing and explaining your painting; you will share with your classmates.
Teachers should then hang every student’s painting on the walls of their classroom. This curricular idea allows students to see themselves and feel represented and accepted in their classroom.
For more information on Mexican-American art, teachers can visit www.nps.gov.
Supportive Children’s Books
Teachers can use the picture book The Dead Family Diaz, by P.J. Bracegirdle, to show students the vibrant colors often associated with Mexican-American Culture. It’s illustrations also include traditional clothes historically worn by people in Mexico and the skull that represent the Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos, a holiday in Mexico that the U.S. culture used as inspiration for Halloween. This picture book is a good introduction to students who do not know about the holiday and is a fantastic representation of students who do celebrate it with their families.
Diego, by Jeanette Winter could be used in the classroom to introduce students to another Mexican-American artist. He even has a children’s book award named after him, the Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award which, according to education.txstate.edu was created in 1995 in his honor. The story is told in both English and Spanish and exposes students to Rivera’s art, which also includes vivid colors.
Teachers can also read What the Moon Saw, by Laura Resau out loud to their students. This book is about a young girl who has grown up in the U.S. and takes a trip to Mexico to visit her grandparents. This picture book has amazing vivid illustrations that the students can use as inspiration for their projects .
Religion
Religion in Mexico is generally associated with the Catholic church, which is lead by the Pope. Mexico is the second largest Catholic country in the world, and shares common religious views with Mexican-Americans. However Mexican and Mexican-American cultures differ in Catholic traditions and religious affiliations; in an article by
Music
https://www.haciendatresrios.com/culture-and-tradition/traditional-mexican-music/
When there is a celebration in Mexican-American culture, it usually includes music! Mariachi is a popular genre of music in Mexican-American culture, which is often played at quinceaneras, weddings, and on Mothers Day. Some musicians wear a “charro” suit with silver studs and a sombrero. The band consists of violins, a classical guitar, trumpets, and a “vihuela” (a five string guitar).
Ritchie Valens was a famous Mexican- American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. One of his most famous hits was “La Bamba.” He altered it from a Mexican folk song, making him a pioneer of the Spanish- speaking rock and roll movement. Unfortunately, he died in a plane crash on February 3rd, 1959 at age seventeen. He was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame in 2001.
Let's Take a Trip to Mexico! 